Did you make any New Year’s resolutions? If so, you’re on the right track. But are your resolutions all about you, or are they about glorifying God? In this episode, Victor and I talk about telling the difference between glorifying God and glorifying ourselves. You’ll learn: - The difference between ambition and excellence. - How to direct all of your actions to the glory of God. - What Scripture teaches about glory. - What happens if you don’t put God first in everything you do. DOWNLOADS Get a...
Jan 11, 2022•27 min
Can you really have too much of a good thing? In this episode Deacon Jeff Drzycimski and I talk about temperance and the immense benefits that come from practicing this virtue. You’ll learn: - What temperance is, and what it’s not. - How we use pleasure to fill voids in our hearts. - The different ways intemperance can creep into our lives. - The one solution to intemperance. UPCOMING RETREAT! Join me and other fans of the show for a special retreat, Feb. 4-6, 2022 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Ret...
Jan 04, 2022•27 min
2022 is right around the corner. What are you willing to do to become a better man and Catholic this new year? In this episode Victor and I look to Mary as an example of how we can grow closer to God by giving Him our full “yes.” You’ll learn: - How to recognize if your “yes” to God is genuine or mere lip service. - Tips for following God’s will even when the going gets tough. - The danger of thinking that the Christian life should be easy. - And more!
Dec 28, 2021•27 min
On today’s podcast, I talk with my good friend Matt Fradd from “Pints With Aquinas.” Matt knows the struggles guys go through to become the men they’re called to be, and he’s gone through many of these struggles himself. In this episode we talk about: - The steps to take to overcome a pornography addiction. - The danger of trying too hard to keep up with the Catholic Joneses. - How to embrace the challenges of fatherhood. - Why we need to not only do the right thing, but do it in the right way. ...
Dec 21, 2021•41 min
Today Victor and I are talking about the process of waiting from a Christian perspective. Throughout the Bible, waiting has been a central theme. What is all this waiting about? While we often see waiting as something annoying, we should be seeing it as an opportunity to better prepare ourselves for what we ultimately anticipate: the Second Coming of Christ. In this episode we learn that: - Waiting is a gift given to us by God. - In the Bible, God uses periods of waiting to strengthen people’s w...
Dec 14, 2021•27 min
Today we’re talking about Advent and what it means for contemporary Catholics. Yes, Advent is the season we prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ birth on Christmas. But the truth is that we should welcome Christ into our hearts each day of the year and be ready for His glorious second coming. In this episode we discover that: - It’s difficult to avoid the commercial aspects of Christmas. - Our job is to respond to Christ’s sacrifice with belief, hope, and action. - Prayer and sacraments support...
Dec 07, 2021•27 min
Today I’m talking to Keith Nester, a former Protestant pastor who converted to Catholicism after a decade-long exploration of faith. The approachable founder of Down to Earth Ministries and the “Catholic Feedback” podcast delves into faith and culture and shares insights he has gained as a pastor, youth minister, and convert. On this podcast we learn that: - Individual conversion stories differ with regard to timelines and motivations. - The richness of Catholic traditions and reverence for scri...
Nov 30, 2021•54 min
On today’s podcast we’re talking about the process (or steps) we can take to get back to God. Each week, men ask if there’s a formula they can follow to live an authentic Christian life. Luckily, the path to salvation isn’t complex, even though it can bring discomfort. In this episode, we discover that: - You don’t have to be perfect to be saved by Jesus. - It’s important to realize that you can’t fix yourself, you need His help. - The way is to believe in Him, repent, give thanks and commit to ...
Nov 23, 2021•27 min
Today Victor and I are talking about how easy it is to focus on what we don’t have instead of the many blessings bestowed on us by God. We think, “If I had ___, then I’d be happy.” This can lead us to addictions to fill the void. Instead, we should be thankful for everything in our lives. In this episode, we’ll learn that: - If we focus on what we think is missing from our lives, we can turn to addictions to fill the void. - We have so many comforts that others don’t have, it’s easy to take them...
Nov 16, 2021•27 min
Today we’re talking about how challenging it can be to live in faith. Jesus asks us to put Him first in our lives, above everything else. We worry about what this means for our families and careers and what comforts we’ll give up in the process. In this podcast, we learn that: - It’s important to be in constant conversation with God, from morning prayers to evening thanks. - Catholics have many tools to help us grow closer to God, such as Mass, the Rosary, and Adoration. - Asking God for forgive...
Nov 09, 2021•27 min
Today, we’re going to hear Victor Adams’ story; it’s about a boy who grows up thinking he needs to be what others expect of him and a young man who realizes that living a life of integrity means accepting God’s plan instead. In this episode we’ll learn that: - We are sometimes so afraid that we’ll disappoint other people, we don’t allow ourselves to see God’s plan for us. - Taking up the cross and following Christ is never easy, but it’s vital if we’re going to live with integrity. - It’s import...
Nov 02, 2021•27 min
Today, Deacon Jeff joins me as co-host, and together we’re talking about taking the first steps in restoring our relationship with God. When we get ourselves into a bind, we sometimes fall into a kind of opportunity paralysis. Truthfully, there’s a fool-proof process we should take when we need to return to the Father and ask for His help. In this episode, we’ll learn that: - Humility is the first step toward rebuilding a relationship with God. - Allowing ourselves to be vulnerable keeps us open...
Oct 26, 2021•27 min
Today we’re talking about that aching feeling that nothing’s ever enough — not the house, the car or the career. These moments arise when we expect the wrong things to bring us joy. In his book “Remade for Happiness,” Bishop Fulton Sheen explains that external gifts such as wealth or fame bring temporary pleasure, but eternal happiness can only be found by building a close relationship with God. In this podcast, we learn that: - Fixating on material possessions or job success creates distraction...
Oct 19, 2021•27 min
Today I’m talking to Marcel LeJeune, author of “The Contagious Catholic” and founder of Catholic Missionary Disciples. A popular guest on Catholic media, Marcel is renowned for his message of radical change and the call for person-to-person evangelization. He has a Christ-based strategy, modeled on love, commitment, and vulnerability, for inviting your friends, family, and neighbors to share in eternal salvation. On this podcast, we learn that: - To be a disciple is to make an active choice each...
Oct 12, 2021•58 min
Today we’re talking about the virtue of perseverance. Our Christian walk requires more than a mountaintop moment of accepting Christ and then moving on. We’ve got to pick up the Cross and carry it daily, no matter what hardships or disappointments we face. In this podcast, we discuss: - Those who persevere in faith will be blessed with God’s grace. - Keeping marriages and families together isn’t always easy, but it brings long-term rewards. - Perseverance prioritizes fidelity over fleeting feeli...
Oct 05, 2021•27 min
On today’s podcast, my co-host Victor and I delve into last Sunday’s Gospel reading, in which Jesus’ apostles fight over which of them is the greatest. We examine the surprising way in which Jesus flips the idea of greatness on its head. We’ll learn: - Why desiring greatness is not a bad thing in itself. - How this desire becomes sinful. - The suffering that results from this sin. - An essential virtue that will help you conquer it. DOWNLOADS Get a copy of my new eBook, "12 Ways Guys Can Get Clo...
Sep 28, 2021•27 min
Today we’re talking about the importance of building a foundation for life-based on belief in Jesus Christ. People who structure their lives on superficial values often see their world come crashing down, like houses built on sand. Jesus asks us to dig deep each day to discover the scriptures, love our neighbors, and live the truth. In this podcast, we learn that: - Practicing humility is a good habit for those who desire to grow in faith. - Asking God for repentance opens a path to joy and peac...
Sep 21, 2021•27 min
How do you discern God’s voice in your heart? How do you recognize the voice of evil seeking to lead you astray? Thankfully, Fr. Timothy Gallagher is here to help us tell the difference. We’ll examine St. Ignatius’ 14 rules of discernment and how they can transform our spiritual lives. In this podcast we’ll learn: - Who St. Ignatius was. - How to recognize the voice of God. - What St. Ignatius meant by “rule.” - Each of the 14 rules. - How we can apply these rules to our own lives. DOWNLOADS Get...
Sep 16, 2021•49 min
Today we’re talking about one of the seven deadly sins: vanity. We all want to maintain a healthy, well-kempt appearance, but sometimes vanity crosses the line. When we obsess over imperfections such as hair loss, crooked teeth, or 10 extra pounds, we place too much attention on the superficial and not enough attention on what’s substantial: our relationship with God. In this podcast, we learn that: - Excess vanity steals our peace and leads to what Pope Francis calls “wicked anxiety.” - Humilit...
Sep 14, 2021•27 min
We’re talking about why we should learn to forgive. Forgiving others is one of the more difficult virtues Jesus asks us to practice. Forgiveness does not mean that we overlook a person’s lies or bad behavior. Rather, we let go of the hurt to live a peaceful, joy-filled life. Holding on to past wounds makes us bitter and gives others power over our lives. As St. Augustine famously said, “Resentment is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” In this podcast, we learn that: - I...
Sep 07, 2021•27 min
On today’s podcast, we’re talking about the benefits of joining a Catholic men’s group in your parish or diocese. Most guys tell me they want to be better men, husbands, and fathers and I’ve learned that we can’t do it alone. We need community. Participation in men’s groups help us beat feelings of isolation and loneliness. They’re places where we can share our struggles as husbands and fathers, support others during setbacks and celebrate spiritual growth. On this podcast, we learn that: - Isol...
Aug 31, 2021•27 min
On today’s podcast, we’re talking about three common barriers to building close relationships with Christ: fear, shame, and pride. When guys talk to me about their struggles with faith, the seeds of their conflicts often stem from fears of what they will lose if they put Christ first, feelings of shame that they are not worthy of God’s love or prideful attitudes that they can get through life without His grace. On this podcast we learn that: - We’ve got to be honest about what’s keeping us from ...
Aug 24, 2021•27 min
In this episode, Victor Adams and I talk about PURPOSE. It’s all too easy for our daily lives to feel like an endless cycle of repetition. So we try to find things to give us pleasure and avoid a feeling of emptiness. The problem is, we look to everything else besides the one person who can truly give us purpose. Psalm 57:2 tells us that God is the one who fulfills his purpose for each one of us. If we want to find the purpose we’re looking for in life, we have to set aside all the other things ...
Aug 17, 2021•27 min
On today’s podcast, we’re talking about “being saved” and what that means for Catholics. Unfortunately, the process of salvation is not as simple as saying, “I accept the Lord as my Savior.” That’s a great start on the road to salvation, but committing to acts of faith and love is what carries us down the path to eternal life. In many of his letters, St. Paul reminds us that salvation is a journey. While Baptism frees us of original sin, we make choices throughout life that determine whether or ...
Aug 10, 2021•27 min
On today’s podcast, we’re talking about the mistaken idea that a personal relationship with God is a Protestant thing and not necessary for Catholics. Nothing could be further from the truth! Throughout the Gospels, Christ invites us to know Him, not just know about Him. Pope Benedict said, “Many people perceive Christianity as something institutional, rather than an encounter with Christ, which explains why they don’t see it as a source of joy.” From the Sacraments to Scriptures, to songs and p...
Aug 03, 2021•27 min
On today’s podcast, we’re talking to one of the country’s most exciting Catholic evangelists and authors, Sonja Corbitt. Founder of Bible Study Evangelista, Sonja transformed her life and overcame anger through daily scripture readings and prayer. Now she teaches others how to unlock the beauty of The Word in their own lives! A natural storyteller and convert to Catholicism, Corbitt shows listeners how daily Bible readings can draw them closer to God, break patterns of sin and bring a sense of c...
Jul 29, 2021•48 min
Today we’re talking about courage. When I think of courage, I recall the story of David and Goliath where the shepherd boy slays the cruel giant. When we surrender to God, we gain strength to conquer our personal Goliaths, whether it’s work stress, addiction issues, marital struggles, or greed. From Biblical times to today, Philippians 4:13 holds true: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” On this podcast, we learn that: - Once we let go of control and surrender to God, we fin...
Jul 27, 2021•27 min
On today’s podcast, I'm joined by Deacon Jeff Drzycimski to talk about those times when we feel bogged down in our daily routines. It’s like we’re checking off the to-do list and wondering where God is in all of this. In this episode, we learn that: - When we get bogged down in a bunch of tasks, we’re depriving ourselves of joy. - Looking at each daily task to determine how we are using it to glorify God restores that joy. - If a task does not bring glory to God, we should ask ourselves why we’r...
Jul 20, 2021•27 min
Today we’re talking about the temptation to allow the ebb and flow of feelings to guide our faith. Men often tell me that they skip Mass or Bible study because they feel stressed out by their jobs, they aren’t excited by the work that faith requires, or they become impatient when God isn’t answering their prayers. On this podcast, we learn that: - Strong faith is built through daily effort. - God is ready to help us grow in faith if we ask for grace. - Periods of desolation often lead to vibrant...
Jul 13, 2021•27 min
In this episode, we talk about how we can more fully seek out Christ and strengthen our belief in Him. It’s about making faith part of our entire lives, not just a part of it. We also discuss: - The state of faith in most Catholic churchgoers today. - Being a follower of Jesus vs. being a believer in Jesus. - How Christ truly wants us to seek Him out DOWNLOADS Get a copy of my new eBook, "12 Ways Guys Can Get Closer to Jesus"! https://justaguyinthepew.com/ebook SUPPORT: Join the Community! I've ...
Jul 06, 2021•27 min
